The Department of People Who Work for a Living: The Working People Weekly List
The Department of People Who Work for a Living: The Working People Weekly List Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List. AFL-CIO Rolls Out Week of Mass Action vs. Trump’s War on Workers: “Taking the fight against the GOP Trump regime’s war on workers from Congress and the courts but also to the streets, the AFL-CIO’s new Department of People Who Work for a Living—a title satirizing Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency—plans a week of actions nationwide from March 17 to 23, 2025. The events will include town halls; mass mobilization to descend on congressional offices (especially those of its ruling Republicans); a ‘democracy board,’ where people can share stories of the personal impact of the Musk-Trump carnage; and flooding Capitol Hill with calls and e-mails.”Trump Administration Must Rehire Thousands of Fired Workers, Judge Rules: “A federal judge on Thursday ordered six federal agencies to rehire thousands of workers with probationary status who had been fired as part of President Trump’s government-gutting initiative. Ruling from the bench, Judge William J. Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California went further than he had previously, finding that the Trump administration’s firing of probationary workers had essentially been done unlawfully and by fiat through the Office of Personnel Management, the government’s human resources arm. He directed the Departments of the Treasury, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy and the Interior to comply with his order and offer to reinstate any employees who were improperly terminated. His order stemmed from a lawsuit brought by employee unions who challenged the legality of the mass firings.”Second Federal Judge Orders Temporary Reinstatement of Thousands of Probationary Employees Fired by the Trump Administration: “A second federal judge ruled Thursday that thousands of probationary employees laid off en masse by the Trump administration must be temporarily reinstated to their jobs. The new temporary restraining order from Senior Judge James Bredar, an Obama appointee, covers 18 agencies and will last two weeks, as a challenge to the terminations from Democratic state attorneys general moves forward.”More than 1,000 March in D.C. Against Possible Health Care Cuts: “According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the House Republicans’ budget goals can’t be reached without cuts to Medicaid. Millions of Americans rely on Medicaid, including children, older adults, people with disabilities and low-income adults. ‘Why would we do that to folks? That is cruel,’ Jackson-Hill said. ‘It’s evil. It’s hatefulness at a scale I have never seen before. And it’s actually our government doing it to us.’ Analilia Mejia is co-executive director for the Center for Popular Democracy, which organized the demonstration. ‘Taking away those resources will not happen silently, and we will not stand for it,’ Mejia said. ‘We are going to push through this budget reconciliation.’ She was impressed with the turnout, which included members of the nation’s largest nurses union, National Nurses United (NNU).”Whole Foods Workers Push Forward on Union Effort: “That unionization effort by workers at the Amazon-owned grocery chain will receive a hearing from a regional National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) panel on Wednesday, which is likely to be appealed by the company and to head to the full NLRB later this year. ‘I was on the right side of the law,’ United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776 President Wendell Young IV told Supermarket News.”Weingarten (President of the American Federation of Teachers [AFT]: Trump’s Education Department Crusade Is a Cowardly Betrayal of America’s Children: “Many of America’s global competitors—and adversaries—are no doubt cheering President Donald Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education. They know that countries who outeducate the rest of the world will outcompete it. And now brand-new Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Trump want to neuter, if not completely shutter, the entity that helps give all children in the United States access to the great public school education they deserve. On Tuesday, the department announced plans to cut nearly half its staff. McMahon says these catastrophic firings, alongside hundreds of so-called buyouts, are about ‘efficiency, accountability and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents and teachers.’ The reality is far more cowardly.”Labor Board Member Returns to Work Six Weeks After Trump Fired Her: “The first Black woman to chair the NLRB returned to the agency Monday with a hero’s welcome after a judge ruled the previous week that she was illegally fired. Dozens of staff members cheered, clapped and waved signs that read, ‘Welcome back, Gwynne,’ as Wilcox returned to the independent federal agency charged with protecting employee rights.”Union Members Ratify First-Ever Contract at Bloomington Barnes & Noble: “After about a year of contract negotiations, Barnes & Noble workers in Bloomington voted Saturday to ratify their first-ever contract. Workers at the Empire Street store join just three others in the country as members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union [RWDSU] with ratified contracts—all of which are based in New York City—and voted to approve their first contracts within the past week. ‘Workers at Barnes & Noble should be incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished together in these historic first union contracts from Illinois to New York,’ said RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum in a press release. ‘United in their fight for increased safety in their stores, it was their voices across the table that won. Now, we can finally say their longtime safety needs are codified in union contracts, which also include industry standard–setting wage increases, union health care and more.’”Las Vegas Strip Reaches Full Union Coverage as Fontainebleau Signs First Labor Deal: “The Culinary and Bartenders Unions have reached a historic agreement with Fontainebleau Las Vegas, marking the first time in the 90-year history of the Las Vegas Strip that all casino resorts are 100% unionized. This milestone results from a yearlong process and the dedicated efforts of thousands of hospitality workers.”Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act Reintroduced: Bipartisan Efforts to Strengthen Union Power and Protect Workers: “AFL-CIO President and Oregonian Liz Shuler also voiced support for the act, saying, ‘Americans believe in the power of unions, and tens of millions of working people would become union members tomorrow if they could. But American labor law is broken, weighted on the side of the bosses and against the workers.’ She urged elected leaders to advance the legislation to allow workers to ‘stand together and build better lives for themselves and their families.’” Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 03/14/2025 - 10:43Continue reading→
Women’s History Month Profiles: Christina McCafferty
Women's History Month Profiles: Christina McCafferty For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Christina McCafferty of the Electrical Workers (IBEW). Christina McCafferty is an exemplary model of service through her work as a supervisor, steward, elected treasurer in the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus Chapter 640 and elected officer of IBEW Local 640. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 03/14/2025 - 09:46 Tags: Women's History MonthContinue reading→
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Unions File Lawsuit Against DHS to Stop the Illegal Termination of TSO Contract
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Unions File Lawsuit Against DHS to Stop the Illegal Termination of TSO Contract Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. AFGE, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) filed a lawsuit Thursday over the illegal and unilateral termination of a negotiated collective bargaining agreement that covers approximately 47,000 transportation security officers (TSOs).“This attack on our members is not just an attack on AFGE or transportation security officers. It’s an assault on the rights of every American worker,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley in a press release. “Tearing up a legally negotiated union contract is unconstitutional, retaliatory and will make the [Transportation Security Administration] experience worse for American travelers.” Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 03/14/2025 - 09:44Continue reading→
In Shocking Move, Columbia University Fires Union President One Day Before Contract Negotiations Begin, in Further Crackdown on Free Speech
In the latest assault on First Amendment rights, Columbia University has expelled and fired Grant Miner, President of UAW Local 2710, which represents thousands of Columbia student workers. The post In Shocking Move, Columbia University Fires Union President One Day Before Contract Negotiations Begin, in Further Crackdown on Free Speech appeared first on UAW | United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America.Continue reading→
APWU Releases Special Edition Magazine Addressing Threat to USPS
March 13, 2025Read the special edition of The American Postal Worker here. Right after the March/April issue went to press, the public Postal Service, our jobs, and our union came under serious and unprecedented threat by the billionaire “Wall Street” class and the new presidential administration who are aggressively pushing to take over and dismantle the public Postal Service for their own private gains and profits. This is a threat unlike anything we’ve seen before, and it’s more important than ever that we fight back. The important information in this special edition cannot wait until the next regular cycle of our magazine. The time is urgent! Never in our modern history have postal workers and postal unions faced such wealthy and organized forces arrayed against us and the people’s right to universal public postal services, no matter who we are or where we live. The Postal Service belongs to the people, not the billionaires. “The U.S. Mail is Not for Sale!” Read the special edition online here to learn more about what is happening, why, and how together we can fight back! Special Edition of The American Postal Worker: Fight Back Against Threats to the USPS! APWU Special Edition - Antiprivatization Read online here 70323_apwu_8pg_magazine.pdf0Continue reading→
APWU Special Edition – Antiprivatization
https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/70323_apwu_8pg_magazine.pdfAPWU Special Edition MagazineContinue reading→
US Mail Not For Sale Letter to the Editor
https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/2025-03_20_letter_to_the_editor_final.docxLetter to the editor templateContinue reading→
2025 Hands Off Our Postal Service Leaflet for Actions [SPANISH]
https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/apwu_us_mail_not_for_sale_flyer_spanish_031325-final_use_this.pdfLeaflet for day of action in SpanishContinue reading→
2025 Hands Off Our Postal Service Leaflet for Actions [ENGLISH]
https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/apwu_flyer_wbug.pdfLeaflet for actionsContinue reading→
2025 US Mail Not For Sale March Day of Action Press Release
https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/apwumarch20adv2dt2.docxNational Press Release for APWU Day of ActionContinue reading→
2025 US Mail Not For Sale Press Release Template
https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/apwumarch20template.docxAPWU Template Press Release for March 20 Day of ActionContinue reading→
United Airlines Teamsters Rally at San Francisco International Airport
(SAN FRANCISCO) – Hundreds of United Airlines aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) represented by the Teamsters...Continue reading→
The US Postal Service helped build the Black middle class. Trump could end that legacy
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/11/usps-black-middle-class-trumpTuesday, March 11, 2025US Mail Not for SaleNo PrivatizationThe US Postal Service helped build the Black middle class. Trump could end that legacyContinue reading→
THE GUARDIAN: The US Postal Service helped build the Black middle class. Trump could end that legacy
March 11, 2025Trump’s potential plans for the USPS could threaten the agency’s rich legacy of Black employment, from which generations of Black families have secured wealth and benefits through service. “The postal service workforce is more diverse racially [and] ethnically than the labor force in this country as a whole,” said Brian Renfroe, the national president of the National Association of Letter Carriers. No PrivatizationTHE GUARDIAN: The US Postal Service helped build the Black middle class. Trump could end that legacyTrump is expected to privatize the USPS, where Black people make up 29% of the staff, and cut down on the number of jobs0Continue reading→
Chicago Rideshare Drivers Rally to Announce Powerful Coalition Led by IAM Local 701, SEIU Local 1
At a rally outside Uber’s Chicago headquarters on Thursday, rideshare drivers from across Chicagoland announced a robust coalition including IAM Local 701, SEIU Local 1, and the Chicago Gig Alliance to continue the fight in raising standards for rideshare drivers across Illinois. Drivers and their allies demanded legislation that would grant them the legal right The post Chicago Rideshare Drivers Rally to Announce Powerful Coalition Led by IAM Local 701, SEIU Local 1 appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→
IAM Organizers Build Power at Winpisinger Center
The Organizing II class at the IAM’s Winpisinger Education Center is part of a broader program, focused on advanced organizing skills and tactics for union organizers. It builds upon introductory concepts, delving into more complex campaign strategies, including materials, techniques, and addressing real-world organizing challenges. Watch the video report here. The aim of the 30-member The post IAM Organizers Build Power at Winpisinger Center appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→
IAM to Commemorate Fallen Members on April 28
Worker safety is one of the most important aspects of being a union member, and on Monday, April 28, we remember those who passed too soon. Join us as we toll a bell in honor of our fallen members whose lives were tragically cut short due to occupational injuries or illnesses. We’ll also extend special The post IAM to Commemorate Fallen Members on April 28 appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→
NFFE-IAM Endorses Legislation to Reinstate Illegally Terminated Civil Servants
Recently the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) endorsed the Model Employee Reinstatement for Ill-advised Termination (MERIT) Act, which would reinstate the tens of thousands of federal workers who were unlawfully terminated by President Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE. The bill is sponsored by Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) and had 66 cosponsors as of yesterday’s The post NFFE-IAM Endorses Legislation to Reinstate Illegally Terminated Civil Servants appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→
NFFE-IAM Endorses Legislation to Reinstate Illegally Terminated Civil Servants
Recently the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) endorsed the Model Employee Reinstatement for Ill-advised Termination (MERIT) Act, which would reinstate the tens of thousands of federal workers who were unlawfully terminated by President Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE. The bill is sponsored by Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) and had 66 cosponsors as of yesterday’s The post NFFE-IAM Endorses Legislation to Reinstate Illegally Terminated Civil Servants appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→
THE GUARDIAN: US Postal Service faces murky future as Trump mulls dismantling institution
March 2, 2025Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to dissolve USPS’s bipartisan board of governors and place the agency under the control of the commerce department secretary, Howard Lutnick, the Washington Post recently reported. No PrivatizationThe Guardian: US Postal Service faces murky future as Trump mulls dismantling institution0Continue reading→
IAM Union Urges Passing Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act
The IAM Union is urging Congressional support for the the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act to enhance worker protections. Why it matters: The PRO Act strengthens federal laws to protect employees’ rights to organize, strike, and negotiate for better wages and benefits. It includes civil penalties for employers who violate these rights. The post IAM Union Urges Passing Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→